A constitutional referendum on the rights of the child is among the measures urgently needed to protect children, the Children at Risk in Ireland (Cari) Foundation said today.
Cari published its annual report for 2006 outlining issues that it said appear to have been "forgotten" amid the election and formation of a new government.
The report said there had been increased calls from foreign nationals, sometimes referring to ritual abuse; uncertainty among professionals over how to report claims of abuse; and a reluctance on the part of parents to report abuse.
Calls to the Cari helpline increase by 10 per cent to 1,254 last year. Most calls were from mothers, but the number of fathers and minors calling also increased. There was also a 16 per cent increase in teens accessing Cari therapy services, the report found.
Majella Ryan, national clinical director of Cari, said: "Children and families are presenting with ever-increasing complex issues including sexually harmful behaviour, suicidal ideation and self harming."
Following confusion last year over the legality of statutory rape laws, the Taoiseach promised a referendum, and the Department of Justice began working on a wording.
It was hoped a constitutional amendment could be put to the people before the election but controversy, particularly over the proposed age of consent being lowered to 16, prevented a referendum taking place.
Cari chief executive Mary O'Flaherty today said the referendum was among the measures that urgently needed to protect children
"It is imperative that this new government must be proactive, rather than reactive, if our children are to be adequately protected," Ms O'Flaherty said. "At all costs we most avoid a repeat of the legal and constitutional crisis of 2006."
She also called for the implementation of the 62 recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection published last year.
Its proposals included lowering the age of consent to 16 where both parties are under 18; life sentences for people in authority who abuse minors; new offences of "grooming" and child sex abuse; and non-threatening legal procedures and facilities for young victims in abuse cases.
The Cari helpline is available to all those affected by child sexual abuse between 9.30-5.30, Monday to Friday on 1890 924567. Its website is www.cari.ie.